Adarsh scam: Court questions inaction against erring officers

The Bombay High Court Tuesday questioned the state government over inaction against erring officers involved in the Mumbai’s Adarsh cooperative housing society scam.

‘Why has the state government not filed an FIR (first information report) against the erring officers of Adarsh Society?’ asked the division bench of Justice B.H. Marlapalle and Justice U.D. Salvi.

‘You took action against society, what about the government officers? Why no FIR was registered till now?’ asked the high court.

The court observed that it was a ‘a clear case of manipulation by the collectorate, the state revenue ministry and the urban development ministry’.

The 31-storey building of the society has come up within thecoastal regulatory zone and security perimeter of an Indian Navy establishment in the upscale Colaba area of south Mumbai. Some retired and serving officers are under the scanner for allegedly cornering flats in the building meant for families of Kargil war heroes and widows.

The court’s observations came while it was hearing petitions filed by the society and its members.

The petitions challenged the cancellation of the occupation certificate and disconnection of water and power supply.